God Is Not Making Any New Land: Heirs’ Property, Land Loss, and Black Faith in Alabama’s Black Belt.

Abstract

The Black Church has long been recognized as a cornerstone of community life, providing spiritual, social, and economic support to African American communities. While recent scholarship has expanded our understanding of the Black Church’s multifaceted roles, little attention has been given to its relationship with the heirs’ property crisis, a pervasive issue in the Black Belt region of the Deep South. This study employs qualitative methods to explore how Black Church leaders navigate and sustain their communities amidst the social, economic, and cultural challenges posed by a clouded titled property. Central to this investigation is an analysis of how scriptural interpretations of stewardship and the sacredness of land inform their responses to this crisis. By examining the intersection of faith, community resilience, and systemic inequities, this research contributes to broader discussions on the role of religious institutions in addressing rural socio-structural challenges and preserving cultural heritage in marginalized communities.